The 2013 State Communications Day was July 13 at the University of Kentucky campus in Lexington. I am so proud to say that everyone from Spencer County did an outstanding job, and Lilli Hanik was a state demonstration winner.
Junior Animal Science Demonstration: Blue ribbon – Casey Montgomery demonstrated “How to Prepare for A Hog Show.”
Senior Performing Arts Demonstration: First place and blue ribbon – Lilli Hanik demonstrated “The Beautiful Noise Maker.”
Senior Job Interview: Blue Ribbon – Lilli Hanik

Who among us is guilty of not noticing something until it’s too late? Yes, all of a sudden there is nothing left of your blue spruce or arborvitae. Bagworms have been munching on the needles for weeks and we wonder how it all happened. Well, they are at work right now so go outside and take inventory of your evergreens because that’s what the bagworm likes the most. Now is the time they do their damage unless we put a stop to it.

Likely as a child, you, too, collected fireflies in a jar and took them to bed to light up your room on a warm summer night. I remember getting my parents to puncture the lid of a mason jar so the magical insects could breathe. Well, it turns out that all that light flashing wasn’t meant for our entertainment, but rather about entertaining love.

Farm Service Agency reminds producers that the deadline for crop acreage reporting for crop year 2013 has been extended to August 3rd. If you have not filed a 2013 acreage report, please visit the local FSA Office soon! Acreage reports are required for participation in many FSA Programs.
Signup for the DCP program continues through September 15.

Humans aren’t the only ones that suffer from the heat of summer. Farm animals feel the heat, too. With summer temperatures already upon us, it’s time to think about ways to know when your livestock may be in danger from the heat and what to do to reduce their plight.
The University of Kentucky Agricultural Weather Center provides warnings of the potential danger to livestock. Livestock become uncomfortable when the heat index reaches about 90 degrees. The heat index is a combination of air temperature and humidity and is used to describe how it feels outside.